Harbour health improves

FEDERAL member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd says the health of Gladstone Harbour appears to be improving, but it is still not as good as it should be.

"I believe it's not as good as we would like it to be, but I think there are signs there now that it is getting better," Mr O'Dowd said.

"I know the seagrass beds are coming back strongly and I think in time the harbour will return to its natural state, which is excellent."

Mr O'Dowd has been a critic of environmental monitoring in the harbour during the Western Basin Dredging Project. He has also been a sympathetic listener for commercial fishermen, who believe dredging has damaged their industry.